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The Los Angeles portion of the caravan will meet in the parking lot behind Ross, located at:

13750 Riverside Dr.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

at 6:30 a.m., May 3, 2008, the morning of Bimmerfest. We will leave at approximately 7:00 a.m., when the San Diego and Orange County portions of the caravan will be merging onto the 101, from the 405. A representative from the Southern caravan will contact us at a set distance from the merger, at which point we will get on the 101, drive the two miles to the 405 and the two caravans will merge together, becoming one huge, BMW entity. This is the goal, of course you never know what might happen. Regardless, we will all work towards making this a safe, unforgettable experience.

With that in mind, there are things that the organizers encourage and others that are notů
Please be on time- The caravan will consist of hundreds of enthusiasts and unfortunately cannot wait for people running late. If you live far away, please come early and plan ahead in case of traffic.

Obey all traffic laws- We cannot and do not advocate the running of traffic lights, stop signs and any other posted traffic laws. This includes the speed limit. With this many cars together (many of which modified) we may draw the attention of the police. What we are doing is not illegal, but we do not want anyone stopped by the police.

Do not race and/or draw undue attention towards yourself- This includes aggressive take-offs at stops and any other behavior that is dangerous or illegal.

Have fun and thanks for participating! For those curious, both Mapquest and Google Maps were used for these directions.

-Arrival-

From East
101 North
Exit Woodman Ave.
Right turn onto Woodman Ave,

From South
405 North
Merge onto 101 South
Exit Woodman Ave.
Left turn onto Woodman Ave.

From West
101 South
Exit Woodman Ave.
Left turn onto Woodman Ave.

From North
405 South
Merge onto 101 South
Exit Woodman Ave.
Left onto Woodman Ave.

All Directions
Left at first intersection onto Riverside Dr.
Left at break in divider into parking lot
Head straight past Ross and Westfield Shopping Center Parking Lot
Left turn into parking lot behind Ross (Watch speedbump)

-Departure-

When we receive the call from the Southern group, cars will leave from both sides of the parking lot.

Those closer to Woodman Ave.-
Make a right at the Eastern driveway
Right at signal onto ramp to 101

Those at the other side of the parking lot-
Using the driveway that you entered, make a right onto Riverside Dr.
Right at signal onto Woodman Ave.
Right at signal onto ramp to 101

Once on the 101 the rest of the caravan will merge together via the 101/405 merger and will continue on to Santa Barbara.

This caravan is not sponsored by BMW, tehdriven.com, bimmerfest.com or its sponsors. The organizers accept no responsibility for participants or their actions. Keep this in mind while always using your best judgment and acting responsibly.

That should be a pretty good spot. There isn't a stop light to divide people getting onto the freeway like last year. The only competition for the on ramp will be the people turning left onto the freeway from Woodman on the south side of 101, which shouldn't be many at 7am.

I suggest bringing walkie talkies. We can coordinate and use words like "convoy", "ten-four", and "good buddy". Maybe I'll buy that OEM CB radio I've had my eye on

I believe Harley cleared everything up already. But for all the people not involved in the organizing of the caravans:

I posted the LA info awhile back, and everything is still going as planned.

The Orange County contingent is being headed up by RaDs330 and the info is here.

The Inland Empire cars are being organized by smilez and he's posted the info here.

The San Diego caravan should meet at the same place as last year, from what I've heard.

To sum up our overall plans, San Diego will meet and head towards Orange County. Simultaneously, Inland Empire will meet and head towards Orange County. Then the three will become one and head north, at which point Los Angeles will merge with them at the 405/101 merger.

I know if you're following the threads, it looks chaotic, like we're not talking to each other, but things are pretty much set. The main thing is to show up at your respective meet point, and let us take care of the rest.

Again to be clear, Los Angeles, Orange County and Inland Empire are set. If you have questions, check your specific area's thread and contact your leader. We're here to help.

would it be easier if the OC and SD caravans meet up with the LA caravan in the parking lot? instead of trying to "catch" each other on the freeway?

This was a big concern early on in the planning stages, and it goes by two different problems:

1.) If all the OC, SD and IE cars have to pull off and meet us in the parking lot, that will be quite a hassle. We're talking a few hundred cars pulling off and stopping in the lot. The offramp, streets and lot will be crazy. Then we'd have to get them back on the freeway along with all the LA cars.

OR

2.) We coordinate the driving of the first caravan with the LA group, and get them together on the freeway. With the main caravan being a couple hundred cars, we have some time, and through the use of cell phones, instant notification.

We've decided to go with the latter option.

As I said before, this is gonna be quite an undertaking either way, but regardless of what happens, you'll be among a lot of fellow BMW enthusiasts heading towards the biggest gathering of Bimmers on the coast (possibly the country?)

This was a big concern early on in the planning stages, and it goes by two different problems:

1.) If all the OC, SD and IE cars have to pull off and meet us in the parking lot, that will be quite a hassle. We're talking a few hundred cars pulling off and stopping in the lot. The offramp, streets and lot will be crazy. Then we'd have to get them back on the freeway along with all the LA cars.

OR

2.) We coordinate the driving of the first caravan with the LA group, and get them together on the freeway. With the main caravan being a couple hundred cars, we have some time, and through the use of cell phones, instant notification.

We've decided to go with the latter option.

As I said before, this is gonna be quite an undertaking either way, but regardless of what happens, you'll be among a lot of fellow BMW enthusiasts heading towards the biggest gathering of Bimmers on the coast (possibly the country?)

It'll be a fun adventure.

Well done! As you said, either way would be chaotic but as long as we keep in mind that we're among fellow BIMMERHEADS and mind our manners, it'll work out. No hurry, let's enjoy the athmosphere and camaraderie...

Lol I just wana make sure your all on the 101 passing Malibu Canyon by 7:30 could anyone call me when your coming up to it with the caravan? it would be greatly appreciated or maybe like 10minutes before you do so I know where I'm at lol.

Lol I just wana make sure your all on the 101 passing Malibu Canyon by 7:30 could anyone call me when your coming up to it with the caravan? it would be greatly appreciated or maybe like 10minutes before you do so I know where I'm at lol.

throw me your number in a PM, and i'll hit you up...im a find out for sure whats going down.... im heading the OC caravan...